An introduction to an activity that lets you discover the secret colors hidden in black ink. With a paper towel, a black marker, and a cup of water, create a rainbow of colors while exploring capillary action and chromatography.

Explore the science behind this activity, including capillary action (how the water moves up the paper) and chromatography, or how different elements of the ink are carried along at different rates, allowing you to see that black ink is actually made up of many different colors.

A detailed demonstration of how to do the Ice Balloons activity, including a discussion of materials needed and strategies for getting learners to ask and then investigate questions about what they are seeing.

The science and pedagogy behind this activity, including a discussion of concepts such as density, temperature, thermal conductivity, center of mass, freezing point depression, heat capacity, and the characteristics of the states of water, water vapor, and ice. Also describes strategies for observing, asking questions, and then choosing a question to investigate further.

Webcasts made possible through the generosity of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Jim Clark Endowment for Internet Education, the McBean Family Foundation.

Bandwidth and infrastructure support for connectivity to the California Research and Education Network and to other Internet2-connected networks provided by the Corporation for Educational Networks Initiatives in California (CENIC).